Choosing the right deck skirting is about balancing two crucial needs: ensuring consistent airflow under your deck to keep the structure dry and healthy, and firmly blocking animals from taking up residence beneath it. At The Ultimate Deck Shop, after helping thousands of homeowners in Saskatchewan and across Canada problem-solve these exact challenges, we’ve developed clear recommendations, detailed insights, and proven step-by-step guidance you can rely on for your project.
Definition: What Is Deck Skirting and Why Does It Matter?
Deck skirting is the material or system installed around the base of a raised deck to close off the gap between the frame and the ground. Its main purposes are:
- Blocking animals, rodents, and debris from getting under the deck
- Allowing proper airflow to keep wood or steel framing dry and protected
- Providing a finished, attractive look to complement your house and yard
- Sometimes helping secure insulation or storage areas beneath the deck
Without airflow, moisture gets trapped and accelerates rot, mildew, and corrosion. Without a physical animal barrier, your deck can become a nesting spot for mice, skunks, cats, and other unwelcome guests.
Direct Answer: The Best Deck Skirting for Airflow and Animal Exclusion
If your goal is to keep animals out while ensuring strong ventilation, the best solution is a purpose-built reinforced mesh skirting, such as DeckAll Mesh Skirting available from The Ultimate Deck Shop. Unlike wood lattice or solid panels, a high-quality polymer mesh system avoids the common pitfalls: it has a tight weave to block even small rodents, provides full-perimeter airflow, withstands extreme Canadian winters, and is manageable for most DIYers to install.
Why Ventilation and Animal Control Are Both Essential
Many homeowners are tempted to solve animal problems by closing off the space under their deck with solid wood, composite, or PVC panels. However, trapping moisture accelerates rot, voids many framing warranties, and reduces the lifespan of even treated lumber or steel. On the other hand, traditional wood lattice has ample airflow but openings are far too wide—mice and voles can squeeze through openings as small as 6 mm, while larger animals will dig or chew through gaps and weak corners.
Expert skirting, then, must fully address all of the following:
- Maximum ventilation for rapid drying after snow or rain
- Gaps small enough to block rodents and insects (generally <6 mm)
- Solid animal-proof installation against digging and chewing
- Withstands freeze-thaw cycles, sun, and impact without cracking
- Minimal ongoing maintenance (no painting or staining required)
Comparison: Popular Deck Skirting Types Explained
Wood Lattice Panels
- Airflow: Excellent
- Animal protection: Poor — openings larger than 25 mm let mice and small pests through
- Durability: Often cracks and separates after a few years of weather cycles
- Maintenance: Requires regular painting/staining. Susceptible to rot and splitting
- Bottom line: Cost-effective, but not reliable for animal exclusion or long-term deck health
Vertical or Horizontal Wood Skirting (Board-on-Board)
- Airflow: Very limited once gaps are small enough to block animals
- Animal protection: Good if installed perfectly. However, boards move, creating gaps where animals squeeze through
- Cost: Significantly higher than lattice. Material-intensive
- Maintenance: Requires painting or staining; boards may cup or warp, creating future entry points
- Bottom line: Attractive, but quite costly and often chokes off airflow to unhealthy levels
Wire Mesh or Hardware Cloth
- Airflow: Excellent
- Animal protection: Good if mesh openings are under 6 mm and well anchored
- Durability: Bare metal rusts, sags, or gets sharp; unattractive and often left unfinished
- Maintenance: Needs tensioning and trim for safe use
- Bottom line: Works functionally, but typically lacks homeowner-level aesthetics and long-term rust resistance
Solid Skirting (Composite, PVC, Stone, etc.)
- Airflow: None unless purposefully vented
- Animal protection: Excellent — blocks almost everything if fully sealed
- Deck frame risk: Trapped moisture leads to greatly increased risk of rot and may void warranties
- Bottom line: Not recommended unless large vent panels are added for continuous airflow
Reinforced Mesh Skirting (DeckAll)
- Airflow: Outstanding; full-perimeter venting
- Animal protection: Tight, reinforced weave blocks rodents, cats, and most wildlife when properly installed
- Durability: Polymer mesh resists cracking, rusting, and UV degradation; proven down to -40°C
- Maintenance: Simple wash-off cleaning; no painting or staining required
- Installation: Designed for DIY, tool-light systems with clear instructions
- Bottom line: Most balanced, long-term solution for Canadian climates where both ventilation and animal exclusion are critical
Step-by-Step: Installing Mesh Skirting for Maximum Protection
- Measure every section of your deck where skirting is needed, adding 10% extra for any overlaps, corners, or adjustment to height variance along the ground
- Prepare the ground by clearing debris or, where necessary, digging a shallow trench (100–150 mm) for anti-dig security
- Anchor the top edge of the mesh skirting tightly to the rim joist or treated perimeter, using corrosion-resistant screws and washers
- Secure or bury the bottom edge: either fasten to a treated timber or bury in the trench and fill back with soil to resist digging animals
- Where sections meet or wrap corners, overlap generously and fasten both edges — never leave exposed seams
- For a finished look, add trim boards or landscaping in front as desired
Many of our customers in Regina, Saskatoon, and across Canada have successfully completed this project in a single weekend with basic tools — measuring tape, drill, utility knife or shears, and a shovel when trenching the edge. If you prefer a hands-off approach, The Ultimate Deck Shop can connect you to local pros or guide you through managed options.
Real World Experience: DeckAll Mesh Skirting Versus Wood Lattice
We’ve observed, year after year, that wood lattice deteriorates rapidly in the harsh Canadian climate. Commonly, after three to seven winters, fastener points crack, panels bow and separate, and weak spots invite animal intrusions. In contrast, DeckAll Mesh Skirting has demonstrated resilience to temperature swings from -40 °C to +40 °C, remaining taut and blocking even determined rodents or burrowing animals.
One customer shared in a public review that after making over an old wood deck with DeckAll mesh (and Cutek oil on the new wood), not only did the deck gain a modern, clean look, it also kept animals out for the first time without cutting off ventilation or requiring constant repainting. For more on prepping and maintaining decks before adding skirting, see our guide: Cutek Extreme Prep Guide: Cleaning Weathered Wood Before You Oil It.
Cost and Longevity: What Should You Expect?
While pricing varies with deck size and chosen aesthetic (lattice, boards, solid, or mesh), here’s what many of our customers experience for a 12x16 foot deck (about 56 linear feet):
| Skirting Type | Material Cost per Linear Ft | Most Realistic Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Lattice | $5–$10 | 3–7 years |
| Board Skirting | $15–$30 | 10+ years (but risk of gaps/warping after a few years) |
| Solid Panels | $20–$40 | 15+ years (with airflow risk to deck frame) |
| DeckAll Mesh Skirting | Comparable to or less than quality board skirting; proven multi-decade lifespan |
Factoring in replacement labor and reduced maintenance paints a clear picture: high-quality mesh, especially for harsh climates, saves money over time and keeps pests at bay.
Best Practices for Balancing Airflow and Critter Defense
- Measure carefully: Know all dimensions and add extra for trimming and overlapping panels
- Eliminate weak points: Overlap panels at all seams and anchor them securely
- Bury or anchor the bottom edge: For high animal pressure, bury the mesh at least 100 mm below grade
- Keep airflow clear: Periodically ensure that landscaping, mulch, or stored items don’t block airflow under the deck
- Pair with protective products: For wood-framed decks, consider joist protection like G-Tape or FastenMaster Deck Coat to maximize frame longevity
For a complete breakdown of joist protection choices, see Which joist protection product is easier for a DIYer to use on a real deck build?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does mesh skirting allow enough airflow to preserve my deck frame?
Yes. Premium reinforced mesh is significantly more breathable than boards, composite, or lattice with small gaps. This helps your joists and beams dry faster, reducing rot and mildew risks especially after snow melt or rain.
Will mice or skunks get through reinforced mesh?
No—if properly installed, with no gaps at seams and the bottom buried or anchored, the tight weave blocks even small rodents. For burrowers like skunks, bury at least 100 mm in a soil trench for extra protection.
Can I install DeckAll Mesh Skirting as a DIY homeowner?
Absolutely. Many customers complete the project over a single weekend, using tools such as a measuring tape, drill, shears or utility knife, and fence staples or screws. The system is designed to minimize the need for complex carpentry or specialty tools.
For step-by-step help, or to source all materials at once, The Ultimate Deck Shop team can walk you through the layout and kit you’ll need based on photos and dimensions you bring in.
How do I make skirting look attractive from the street or yard side?
Trim boards on the top edge, matching the deck color or railing, as well as landscaping (such as decorative stone or shrubs), can frame the mesh and blend it smoothly into your yard’s design.
What if my deck has stairs or unusual angles?
Mesh skirting is easy to cut and fit around posts, stairs, or slopes. Overlap edges and anchor tightly at transitions. For complex layouts, photos and plans shared with your deck pro or a TUDS specialist will simplify the process.
How to Get the Right Skirting and Support for Your Deck
- Take complete measurements around your deck base, noting both the length and the maximum exposed height above grade
- Photograph each side, with special attention to stairs, posts, or uneven ground
- Contact The Ultimate Deck Shop in Regina or Saskatoon, or use the online contact form. We’ll help you calculate quantities, select colors, and decide on DIY, Assisted DIY, or managed install support as best fits your needs.
- Order confidently: we ship across Canada and the USA, and offer local delivery windows to fit your project schedule
Still planning your full deck build? Learn about complete deck packages, railing systems, or how to compare brands in our deep-dive blogs such as Where can I buy Trex decking in Canada and get help choosing the right line.
Conclusion: The Expert’s Choice for Deck Skirting in Canada
Ultimately, reinforced mesh skirting—especially DeckAll Mesh Skirting available through The Ultimate Deck Shop—offers the best combination of all-weather durability, full airflow, and true animal exclusion. No other mainstream method balances these needs as effectively or delivers such long service for the investment. Our team has walked countless homeowners and contractors through this process, and we’re always available to answer questions, provide measurements, or guide your installation plan.
For trusted products, deep expertise, and convenient delivery throughout Canada and the USA, trust The Ultimate Deck Shop. Let’s build your project right—healthy, beautiful, and free of uninvited guests for years to come.
